Random anisotropy and domain-wall pinning process in the magnetic properties of rapidly quenched Nd60Fe30Al10

The magnetic properties and microstructure of glassy Nd60Fe30Al10 splat-quenched samples have been investigated by small-angle neutron scattering, Mossbauer spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The presence of chemical inhomogeneities in the amorphous sample is evidenced by small-angle neutron scattering which indicates a complex network of atom clusters with an average diameter of 15 nm. These results are confirmed by the magnetization measurements which show the coexistence of two magnetic phases with different ordering temperatures and indicate phases separation in rapidly quenched Nd60Fe30Al10 samples. Magnetic neutron scattering analysis reveals magnetic correlation volumes in the ferromagnetic phase of about 34 nm in diameter. Random anisotropy and a domain-wall pinning process within the two phases are discussed to explain the magnetic properties of amorphous Nd60Fe30Al10. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.